Retention Assembly and Railway Spike Assembly Incorporating Same

ABSTRACT

A spike assembly is for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie. The spike assembly includes a spike member of generally linear shape having a tip portion structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion and structured to engage and retain a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion. The spike assembly further includes a clip member having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. Each of the first and second portions are disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The disclosed concept pertains generally to railway spikes and, more particularly, to railway spikes of the type having retainers for preventing the spike from working loose in a railway tie. The disclosed concept also pertains to retention assemblies for use in preventing a railway spike from loosening in a railway tie. The disclosed concept further pertains to methods for securing sections of railway to railway ties.

2. Background Information

The railroad industry has long been plagued by the problem of loosening of rails from wood cross ties along the railway roadbeds. Railroad rails are ordinarily positioned on tie plates, which are thick rectangular steel plates having a width considerably greater than the width of the flanged base of the rails. Generally, grooves are provided in tie plates for snugly accommodating the flanged bases of the rails. Apertures are provided in the tie plates adjacent the flanged bases of the rails so that spikes can be driven through such apertures into the cross ties in such a manner that heads of the spikes securely engage the flanged bases. As long as the spikes remain tightly engaged in the cross ties, both the rails and the tie plates remain securely attached to the cross ties.

Although the rails are secured to the cross ties by driving headed spikes into the cross ties to contact the flanges of the rails, the spikes nevertheless may loosen as a result of vertical forces caused by wave-like motions of the rails produced as engines and loaded cars move along the rails. Further, lateral wheel forces produced on the tops of the rails as a result of side-to-side swaying of the moving locomotive and its cars and centrifugal forces as the locomotive and cars traverse curves of the railway tend to cause rails to tilt or rock about their flanged bases. The wave-like motion and lateral forces due to swaying, and various early attempts to solve the problem are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,680, incorporated herein by reference.

To alleviate the problem of loosening of spikes, various spike retainers have been utilized in attempting to reliably retain spikes in the wood cross ties despite the tendency of the above described forces to loosen spikes. The above mentioned patent discloses one such railroad spike retainer. However, a need still exists for mechanisms to address the problem of loosening spikes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs and others are met by embodiments of the invention, which are directed to a spike assembly for securing a section of railroad to a crosstie, a clip member for securing a spike member to a crosstie, and a method for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a spike assembly for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie is provided. The spike assembly comprises a spike member of generally linear shape and a clip member. The spike member comprises a tip portion structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion and being structured to engage and retain a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion. The clip member comprises a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. Each of the first portion and the second portion is disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

The body portion may further include a third side disposed between the pair of generally opposed sides, the third side having a notched portion in which the intermediate portion of the clip member is disposed.

Each of the first portion and the second portion of the clip member may include a flared portion structured to engage the portion of the cross tie.

The crosstie may include a number of holes and the spike assembly may be structured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the holes. The corresponding one of the holes in the crosstie may have been formed by another spike previously driven into the crosstie.

The clip member may be formed from a unitary piece of material. The unitary piece of material may be formed from spring steel.

The spike member may be formed from a spike previously driven into and removed from a crosstie.

The third side of the spike member may include a generally planar surface, the intermediate portion of the clip member may include an outward surface, with the planar surface and the outward surface being generally coplanar.

The clip member may be structured to engage the portion of the crosstie in a manner such that extraction of the spike assembly from the crosstie is inhibited.

The body portion of the spike member may have a generally rectangular cross-section.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a clip member for securing a spike member to a crosstie is provided. The spike member includes a tip portion, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion, and a body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion. The clip member comprises a first portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of one of the pair of generally opposed sides of the spike member, a second portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the other of the pair of generally opposed sides of the spike member, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The clip member being structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

The body of the spike member may further include a third side disposed between the pair of generally opposed sides, the third side having a notched portion. The intermediate portion of the clip member may be structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the third side of the spike member.

Each of the first portion and the second portion may include a flared portion with each flared portion being structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

The portion of the cross tie may comprise an inner surface of a hole in the crosstie and the hole may have been formed by another spike previously driven into the crosstie.

The clip member may be formed from a unitary piece of material.

The third side of the spike member may include a generally planar surface, wherein the intermediate portion of the clip member includes an outward surface, and wherein the outward surface is structured to be generally coplanar with the planar surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie is provided. The method comprises providing a spike assembly and installing the spike assembly into the crosstie to secure the railroad thereto. The spike assembly comprises a spike member of generally linear shape and a clip member. The spike member comprises a tip portion structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion and being structured to engage and retain a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion. The clip member comprises a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. Each of the first portion and the second portion is disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

The method may further comprise installing the spike assembly in a pre-existing hole in the crosstie.

The method may further comprise coupling the clip member onto the spike member prior to installing the spike assembly into the crosstie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spike assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spike assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the spike assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view showing the spike assembly of FIG. 1 installed in a portion of a crosstie.

FIG. 5 is another cut away view showing the spike assembly of FIG. 1 installed in a portion of a crosstie.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “connected” or “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. Further, as employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “attached” shall mean that the parts are joined together directly.

As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

FIGS. 1-3 show a spike assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Spike assembly 10 includes a spike member 12 and a clip member 40. Spike member 12 is of generally linear shape and includes a tip portion 14, an opposite head portion 16, and a body portion 18 disposed therebetween. The spike member 12 is preferably made from a forged steel. Tip portion 14 and head portion 16 are preferably formed in a manner which tends to assist in insertion of the spike member 12, as will be discussed below. However, it is to be appreciated that tip 14 and head 16 may be of other formations from those shown in the Figures without varying from the scope of the present invention.

Body portion 18 is preferably of rectangular cross-section and includes a first side 20, a second side 22 generally opposed to first side 20, a third side 24, and a fourth side 26 generally opposed to third side 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the first and second sides 20,22 includes a notched portion 21,23. Preferably, notched portions 21 23 are formed in the spike member 12 during the forging process from which spike member 12 is initially produced. However, it is to be appreciated that notched portions 21,23 could also be formed in a pre-existing spike through machining operations.

Although shown having a generally rectangular cross-section, it is to be appreciated that body portion 18 may also be of different cross-section (e.g., without limitation, circular) without varying from the scope of the invention.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-3, clip member 40 is preferably formed from a unitary piece of spring steel. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, clip member 40 includes a first portion 42, a second portion 44 and an intermediate portion 46 disposed therebetween. Preferably the first and second portions 40,42 are oriented generally parallel with respect to each other and generally perpendicular to the intermediate potion 44. Clip member 40 is dimensioned such that each of the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 is disposed in a respective one of the notched portions 21,23 when the clip member 40 is disposed on the spike member 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, clip member 40 generally engages spike member 12 in a manner that may be readily hand assembled and is such that clip member 40 is retained on spike member 12 without need for any additional fastening mechanisms.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the third side 24 also includes a notched portion 25 (FIG. 3) in which the intermediate portion 46 of the clip member 40 may be disposed (such as shown in FIG. 1). Preferably, notched portion 25, like notched portions 21,23, is formed during the forging operation in which the spike member 12 is formed, however, notched portion 25 could also be formed from a latter machining process. Preferably, the notched portion 25 is sized such that the outward facing surface (not numbered) of the intermediate portion 46 of the clip member 40 is generally coplanar with the generally planar surface of third side 24, as shown in FIG. 1. Such arrangement provides for insertion of the spike assembly 10 into a crosstie without interference by the intermediate portion 46, as will be discussed below.

Each of the first and second portions 42,44 of clip member 40 include a flared portion 43,45 that project generally outwardly from each of notched portions 21,23 when the clip member 40 is disposed on spike member 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the spike assembly 10 installed in a crosstie 50. Such crossties 50 are commonly formed of wood but may also be formed from other material(s) (e.g., without limitation, composite material). The spike assembly 10 may be installed by striking the head portion 16 in a direction toward the crosstie 50, thus driving the spike assembly 10 into the crosstie 50. It is to be readily appreciated that the present concept allows for installation of the spike assembly 10 at a location on the crosstie 50 where either a pre-existing hole 52 was previously formed (e.g., without limitation, by a spike member previously driven) or where no pre-existing hole is present. Accordingly, the spike assembly 10 described herein may readily be used to replace old railway spikes that have become loosened.

When used to replace an existing spike that has become loose, the existing spike, if still present, is first removed from the crosstie leaving a hole 52 in the crosstie 50. Next, spike assembly 10 is inserted, tip portion 14 first, through a hole 56 in tie plate 54 and further into hole 52 voided by the previous spike. Preferably, spike assembly 10 is driven into the previously voided hole 52 by hammering or similar action to the head portion 16 until the head portion 16 generally contacts and retains tie plate 54 and/or rail member 58 to crosstie 50. As the spike assembly 10 is inserted and subsequently driven into the hole 52, the flared portions 43 and 45 generally compress inward toward the notched portions 21 and 23, thus allowing insertion of the spike assembly 10 into the crosstie 50 with negligible resistance. However, upon attempting to back the spike assembly 10 out of the hole, the flared portions 43 and 45 will tend to extend outward from the notched portions 21 and 23 and effectively engage the crosstie 50 in a manner that inhibits extraction of the spike assembly 10 (see FIG. 5).

In addition to being used in conjunction with a previously formed hole in a crosstie, the spike assembly 10 may also be used where no previously formed hole exists. In such situation, the spike assembly 10 may be simply driven into the crosstie 50, tip portion 14 first. In such application, tip portion 14 is preferably of pointed shape, such as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in order to promote driving of the spike assembly 10 into the crosstie.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. 

1. A spike assembly for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie, said spike assembly comprising: a spike member of generally linear shape comprising: a tip portion structured to be installed in said crosstie; a head portion disposed opposite said tip portion and being structured to engage and retain a portion of said section; and a body portion disposed therebetween, said body portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion; and a clip member comprising: a first portion; a second portion; and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween, wherein each of said first portion and said second portion is disposed in a respective one of said notched portions and wherein said clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
 2. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein said body portion further includes a third side disposed between the pair of generally opposed sides, said third side having a notched portion in which the intermediate portion of said clip member is disposed.
 3. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first portion and the second portion of said clip member include a flared portion structured to engage said portion of the cross tie.
 4. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein said crosstie includes a number of holes and wherein the spike assembly is structured to be inserted into a corresponding one of said holes.
 5. The spike assembly of claim 4 wherein the corresponding one of said holes in the crosstie was formed by another spike previously driven into the crosstie.
 6. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the clip member is formed from a unitary piece of material.
 7. The spike assembly of claim 6 wherein the unitary piece of material is formed from spring steel.
 8. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the spike member is formed from a spike previously driven into and removed from a crosstie.
 9. The spike assembly of claim 2 wherein the third side of said spike member includes a generally planar surface, wherein the intermediate portion of said clip member includes an outward surface, and wherein the planar surface and the outward surface are generally coplanar.
 10. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the clip member is structured to engage the portion of the crosstie in a manner such that extraction of the spike assembly from the crosstie is inhibited.
 11. The spike assembly of claim 2 wherein the body portion of said spike member has a generally rectangular cross-section.
 12. A clip member for securing a spike member to a crosstie, said spike member including a tip portion, a head portion disposed opposite said tip portion, and a body portion disposed therebetween, said body portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion, said clip member comprising: a first portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of one of said pair of generally opposed sides of said spike member; a second portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the other of said pair of generally opposed sides of said spike member; and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween, wherein said clip member is structured to engage a portion of said cross tie.
 13. The clip member of claim 12 wherein the body of said spike member further includes a third side disposed between the pair of generally opposed sides, said third side having a notched portion; and wherein the intermediate portion of said clip member is structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the third side of said spike member.
 14. The clip member of claim 12 wherein each of the first portion and the second portion include a flared portion with each flared portion being structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
 15. The clip member of claim 14 wherein the portion of the cross tie comprises an inner surface of a hole in said crosstie; and wherein the hole in said crosstie was formed by another spike previously driven into the crosstie.
 16. The clip member of claim 12 wherein the clip member is formed from a unitary piece of material.
 17. The clip member of claim 11 wherein the third side of said spike member includes a generally planar surface, wherein the intermediate portion of said clip member includes an outward surface, and wherein the outward surface is structured to be generally coplanar with the planar surface.
 18. A method for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie, the method comprising: providing a spike assembly comprising: a spike member of generally linear shape comprising: a tip portion structured to be installed in said crosstie; a head portion disposed opposite said tip and being structured to engage and retain a portion of said section; and a body portion disposed therebetween, said body portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion; and a clip member comprising: a first portion; a second portion; and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween, each of said first portion and said second portion being disposed in a respective one of said notched portions and said clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie; and installing said spike assembly into the crosstie to secure said railroad thereto.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: installing said spike assembly in a pre-existing hole in the crosstie.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising coupling the clip member onto the spike member prior to installing the spike assembly into the crosstie. 